DO WE CONSUME OUR LIVES OR DO THEY CONSUME US?

How do we spend our lives? Do we consume our life or does it consume us? Is there even that kind of dichotomy at all? Some of us live quite "purposeful" lives; there is a purpose and direction and reason for us to live, and we do what we can to fulfil that. Or so we tell ourselves and/or are told by the society and culture in which we live -- and have been accordingly brain-washed or made to believe wholeheartedly and without question. This is akin to believing in heaven or believing in God, which, in a greater context, may be human inventions to ward off not only our fear of death, but also of purposeless and meaninglessness. Such is the existential dilemma.

We are possessed within our DNA itself of a reason and purpose to live, and that is: to live in and of itself. We are survival machines, as are all animate forms. But the human dilemma is that somewhere within ourselves we know that this is simply not enough. On one hand, we claim, "I'd rather die than live like or be treated like an animal," while, on the other, we can be quite satisfied living like animals as long as we are the dominant animal. We believe we have scruples, or morals, and right behavior, but in reality we are often quite abominable as a species.

But perhaps I can be more merciful, and forgiving of the human race, which also includes myself. This "paradox of being human," which is obvious to some, is forever not obvious to the oblivious, who are the great majority. Jesus spoke of the need to "turn the other cheek," which is a most pragmatic notion. My own own version of that is, "Go with the flow and roll with the punches." We cannot fight the river's current, but must find ways to use it as best we can to cause as little harm as possible. I suppose I'm saying that our intentions must be good, but I also believe the adage that, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." We must also show some intelligence, some ability to make decisions that are in accord with Reality rather than simply what we believe, or society or culture believes to be real. Unlike the intelligent practicality present within animals, we humans think that we can see things the way we want to see them rather than the way they are. We are willing to die for this, which sets us apart from nature. Is this "divine," as some might claim, or is it absurd. Or, is it absurd that we actually create situations in which such seeming choices must seemingly be made? Is our existence of value at all? Or is it mere ephemeral shadow play?

And the problems in this is that there is always a greater reality, a greater context, whether we are unaware of it by ignorance or by choice. An academic friend of mine, in researching the ancient language of Genesis, found that it actually says something to the effect that, "In the beginning, He created God and then God created ...". So humans claimed this or that "God" as their own cultural property, but what about this greater context. And what about our refusal and/or inability to even be willing to go there?